REFRIGERATOR DOOR. TO-DO-LIST.

Barney gussies up for 20 new episodes

September 01, 2002|By Donald Liebenson.

He's still purple. He's still a "dinosaur sensation." And he still loves you. But Barney fans may notice a few changes when, after two years, "Barney & Friends" premieres the first of 20 new episodes on WTTW-Ch. 11 at 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Barney and a new cast of endearingly amateurish kids frolic in the show's new park playground setting--complete with "idea bench"--and inside a restored caboose. Kami, the youngest and smallest of the group, is depressed about always being last. She learns that the caboose may be the last car of the train, but it is also the most important because that is where the conductor rides.

Other tweaks to the formula include live-action footage of toddlers and preschoolers at play.

From old school to new, Nickelodeon launches "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius" at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Based on the Oscar-nominated feature film, this computer-animated series continues the adventures of the 10-year-old inventor from Retroville. In the premiere episode, "Normal Boy," a giant meteor is headed for town.

Wiggles visit the Crocodile Hunter's zoo

Fresh from their sold-out concert in Chicago, the Wiggles return to home video with "Wiggly Safari," available Tuesday on VHS ($14.95) and DVD ($19.99). There are cockatoos, kangaroos and, crikey, real life Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin; his wife, Terri; and daughter Bindi to guide the Wiggles through the Australia Zoo. A raucous cross between the Monkees and the Teletubbies, the Wiggles and the cast of costumed characters, including Captain Feathersword and Dorothy the Dinosaur, perform original songs that introduce some of Down Under's more exotic wildlife.

Also available in video stores Tuesday is "Mickey's House of Villains" (VHS $22.99, DVD $29.99), a feature-length spinoff of the "House of Mouse" animated series. A rogue's gallery of Disney villains, including Cruella de Vil, Hades, Captain Hook, Maleficent, Ursula and Jafar try to take over the House of Mouse.